Terminal unit and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The first aspect of the present invention is a terminal unit which contains an electrode part disposed in a case, for connecting with an electrode body and a terminal part having a rod shape with a first end and a second end, the first end for fixing to the electrode part, and the second end extending outside of the case. In one embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the electrode part includes an insert hole into which the terminal part is inserted, the terminal part comprises an insert portion having an insert portion having a larger diameter than that of the hole and formed at the first end and a tip portion having a smaller diameter than that of the hole and formed at the nearer side of the first end than the insert portion. And, the clinch portion is press fitted into the insert hole, thereby fixing the terminal part to the electrode part. According to the present invention, the varying of electric conductivity in the terminal unit is prevented.

1. A terminal unit comprising:
 an electrode part disposed in a case, for connecting with an electrode body; and 
 a terminal part having a rod shape with a first end and a second end, the first end for fixing to the electrode part, and the second end extending outside of the case, 
 wherein the electrode part comprises an insert hole for inserting the terminal part, and 
 wherein the terminal part comprises a clinch portion comprising:
 an insert portion having a larger diameter than that of the hole and formed at the first end; and 
 a tip portion having a smaller diameter than that of the hole and formed at a nearer side of the first end than the insert portion, 
 
 wherein the clinch portion is press fitted into the insert hole, thereby fixing the terminal part to the electrode part, 
 wherein the insert portion has an uneven surface having projections and recesses at a periphery thereof, and 
 wherein the tip portion has a tapered portion being tapered from the first end toward the second end. 
 
     
     
       2. The terminal unit according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the terminal part is made of a harder substance than the electrode part. 
 
     
     
       3. A method of manufacturing a terminal unit comprising an electrode part disposed in a case, for connecting with an electrode body; and a terminal part having a rod shape with a first end and a second end, the first end foxing to the electrode part, and the second end extending outside of the case, the method comprising:
 providing an insert hole for inserting the terminal part with the electrode part; 
 providing a clinch portion with the terminal part comprising an insert portion having a larger diameter than that of the hole and formed at the first end; and a tip portion having a smaller diameter than that of the hole and formed at a nearer side of the first end than the insert portion; 
 press fitting the clinch portion into the insert hole for fixing the terminal part to the electrode part; 
 providing the insert portion with an uneven surface having projections and recesses at a periphery thereof; and 
 providing the tip portion with a tapered portion being tapered from the first end toward the second end. 
 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the terminal part is made of a harder substance than the electrode part.